Hood Modification

[JPH1970]

I have a cheap Aqueon plastic hood with an surprisingly decent LED light. There's a cutout on the back of the hood(left side) for the filter and then on the right is a cutout for the heater. I have the heater next to the filter so that cutout is unused.
I'd like to cut out the rest of the plastic between the filter and the heater cutout(the unused one) so that I can add a few more houseplants (Pothos and such).

What's the easiest way to cut that plastic without butchering the hood?

 

[RedOnion]

I have a cheap Aqueon plastic hood with an surprisingly decent LED light. There's a cutout on the back of the hood(left side) for the filter and then on the right is a cutout for the heater. I have the heater next to the filter so that cutout is unused.
I'd like to cut out the rest of the plastic between the filter and the heater cutout(the unused one) so that I can add a few more houseplants (Pothos and such).

What's the easiest way to cut that plastic without butchering the hood?

Probably melting it off? I have a wood burner tool that I use to melt plastic. It will make fumes so I would do it outside. Or sawing it off?

 

[JPH1970]

Probably melting it off? I have a wood burner tool that I use to melt plastic. It will make fumes so I would do it outside. Or sawing it off?

I have a regular wood saw and it would probably destroy it. My brother may have something I can use.

 

[BigManAquatics]

A coping saw with a fine tooth blade would probably work.

 

[JPH1970]

A coping saw with a fine tooth blade would probably work.

I'm sure my brother has one I can use. It'll give me an excuse for my 2 year old to see his Uncle Mike

 

[mattgirl]

Hubby used a cut off blade on his dremel tool to cut mine out. Maybe Uncle Mike has one.

 

[JPH1970]

Hubby used a cut off blade on his dremel tool to cut mine out. Maybe Uncle Mike has one.

And I'll give Uncle Mike a six pack of beer to do it for me!